Walk of a Stephen Minister

I received the phone call I had waited weeks to receive from one of my Stephen Ministry leaders with my first assignment. I, along with 11 other caring volunteers at Mount Pleasant Christian Church (MPCC), have been commissioned as Stephen Ministers. We have been taught to listen, care for and love our care receivers knowing only Christ can do the healing.

Now back to my story. A woman walked into our Living Bread ministry visibly upset. The husband had become very ill and was hospitalized. His wife had continually called their former church to arrange a pastoral call. One evening the husband slipped into a coma, causing the wife to call the church for the fourth time with no response.

After hearing this, the compassionate Living Bread worker called my leader, who in turn phoned me. Two hours later I walked into a hospital room, introducing myself as a Stephen Minister with MPCC.  She broke down and wept. Until then she felt so alone and abandoned.

We spent hours talking and praying together. A few days later the decision was made to disconnect him from life support early Monday morning. She asked me to be there. I learned a good lesson that Monday. When I walked in the hospital room, she hugged me, sobbing. Not a word was spoken. A Stephen Minister does not always need to say something. At times just being there is enough. On Tuesday she called and asked me to speak at the funeral. She now attends MPCC with a friend; so I ask, “Can a single church in Central Indiana change the world?” Yes, we absolutely can!

by Don Cobb